Admitted pipeline vandalizer fights racketeering lawsuit

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Phoenix woman who has publicly admitted to vandalism along the route of the Dakota Access oil pipeline in South Dakota and Iowa is asking a judge to dismiss her as a defendant in a $1 billion federal racketeering lawsuit.

Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners has sued several groups and individuals for allegedly working to undermine the $3.8 billion pipeline to move North Dakota oil to Illinois. Defendants include Ruby Montoya and Jessica Reznicek.

In July 2017, they released a public statement admitting to damaging valves and setting fire to construction equipment along the pipeline route. But they haven’t been criminally charged, and Montoya’s attorney maintains ETP hasn’t shown any link between Montoya and a criminal enterprise.

Attorney Lauren Regan says Reznicek hasn’t yet been served with the racketeering lawsuit.